In this patch update, I focused mostly on features, that already exist in the game. While I work on a new user interface, I decided to release this patch, which brings improved employees system (not the final version, but I made a few required changes).
Employees
Now you hire and assign the employees directly to the buildings. There're no groups or other sliders. Previously you had to move with 3 (!) sliders to hire, assign and allocate the employees into the building. It was good for 1-2 buildings, but for the longer gameplay, this was just boring and nonsense over time.
The new employees system allows you to hire and allocate employees directly into the building. Every building has now about max 30 employees at the beginning with the upgrade availability, which will allow you to have up to 60 employees in one building.
Rockets repairing
The rocket repairing system was improved and fixed a little bit. I've added some visual confirmations that that rocket is being repaired.
New languages
Jere, my friend, made german translations for EarthX. Of course, it requires few improvements and fixes (probably), but we will fix them as we go with the updates and patches ;)
The German language is available in the game as well as in the store. One of the discord members (rykllan @βProton) is working on Russian translations, while someone else is working on French translations, which I am very grateful for.
Other smaller changes
Added: Now you can turn the music off and leave only the sounds.
Improved: The resolutions are now taken from the system, so no more missing resolutions!
Improved: Added a few more info to the tutorial.
Improved: Game balance.
Fixed: Issue, where the game randomly crashed.
Fixed: You couldn't launch reused rockets.
EarthX Summer Roadmap
Hey,
In this post, I want to share with you about features and updates, which are coming this summer. EarthX is still in early access, but I've already finished all the fundamental stuff, so I can now just add more features.
These are just plans, the plans can change. If something doesn't show up in summer, then it will probably later. Take that in mind :D
Honestly, I didn't expect so many people to play my game on early access release weekend. Of course, there were some issues with the game itself, but two patches fixed that. Now I can focus on another big update (0.2.6), which will completely rework modules research tree, so it's more interesting and fun to play. The new research tree will be bigger and it will have many more features.
Research tree
There are going to be 2 types of modules. The first one will decide, how good the rocket is, (Example: engine, fuel tank, fairing...) while the second one will give some boosts for that rocket (Example: fewer explosion chances).
Also, you will be able to upgrade the module itself. The upgrade will bring less production costs and faster build time.
And that brings us to...
Factory
The factory logic will be changed a little bit.
Statistics The factory will count every module built. It will then count every money earned and spent, and then show that to the player. The factory will now have its own level, which will be needed for the next mechanic, building upgrades.
Upgrades The building upgrades are available now, but this mechanic is broken and sometimes it's just nonsense. I currently have only a few plans about how to fix that, but I won't tell it here now, because I'm not sure.
I can only tell, that the building upgrades will now also increase the maximum of employees amount in that building.
Also, now every building will now need employees (example: hangars).
New employees system
The employees system is not good now, so it will be also changed.
Competitors
Yup, this feature was requested a lot. It will be here probably at the very end of this summer. I don't want to spoiler anything from that, but it will be amazing (imo :D)
New user interface
The user interface (UI) isn't bad now, but it can be better. That's why I started working on a new UI. I don't know when it's going to be available, but 100% sure before competitors system.
To sum everything up, the game will have its boom this summer. I'm going to add a lot of new features and THANK YOU again for buying my game in early access! <3
Greetings,
Denis
EarthX 0.2.5.2 Patch
Hey,
In this second patch, I fixed a lot of smaller and bigger issues found by the players and me myself. This week, I want to be 90% focused on fixing bugs found by you, because I always want to work on a stable game. Feel free to report bugs everywhere you can, I read them all!
Buildings bug
This bug added in 0.2.5.1, which caused a lot of issues with buildings (like you could build an engine in an office XD) was fixed. I only made a small change in the code and broke the game by the way...
Rockets management improvements
50% of the changes were requested by the community!
Added: Remove the whole rocket project
Added: Remove the module from the factory build queue in rocket build panel
Added: Project name to the rocket build panel
Other smaller changes
75% of the changes were requested by the community!
Added: Welcome notification
Improved: Research tree look
Fixed: Research tree icons look
Fixed: There was a confirmation before loading a save with flat earth
EarthX 0.2.5.1 Patch
Hey,
Firstly I want to apologize for those fails and critical errors at the beginning. It forced me to release two small hotfixes in one day, but they fixed some of the technical issues.
In this patch update, I fixed the rest of the found issues by the players, which could even destroy the game.
Realistic mode - What is this?
This mode was supposed to be there only for fun (flat earth, rockets exploding at the doom), but a lot of people didn't quite understand that. That's why I added a confirmation before playing it.
New ID system
I've updated the old ID system in the game, which caused a lot of issues. The new one is smaller and faster, and of course, safer to use. If there're still issues with rocket-launch-panel-bug, feel free to report it on the steam community tab!
Other smaller changes
75% of the changes were requested by the community!
Improved: Buildings list sorting.
Improved: Polish translations.
Fixed: Tutorial appeared in the sandbox & realistic mode.
Fixed: Rocket auto factory selection button didn't work sometimes.
EarthX Steam release is tonight! [Few important infos]
Hey,
As you probably know, the EarthX Steam launch is tomorrow at night (about 23 pm CEST). Before that, I want to talk with you about my updating policy, future updates content and my long term plans for this game.
The price of the game will be set to 7.99$, which I think is fair. I've spent a lot of time making this game, so I want to have some money from it :D
Even tho, I still have a lot of ideas for EarthX, and for my other future games.
Who makes this game actually?
The main developer (me - hello), Denis, is 17 years old. He comes from Poland and is doing stuff with the code for good 5-6 years now. He does 99% of the code, 60% of the gameplay design, 60% of the graphics and 20% of the sounds.
The second developer, Michał, also comes from Poland. He is responsible for game testing, creating new features design and motivating Denis for the work.
+ Adrian does market the game, and Jakub is helping with the code a little bit.
A lot of people put their hands on EarthX, which I am very glad about, but if I would mention them all, then this article would be too long for the steam servers :D
Update policy
The second most important thing is our update policy. EarthX is currently an early access title, so we want and will add a lot of more features to the game.
I'm making this game since the beginning of this year, and the updates appeared every 2-3 weeks on itch platform. I've learned a lot about making and releasing game updates, so I can tell for sure, that the time between updates will stay the same.
However, if the update isn't ready within 2-3 weeks, then I still won't release it. I want to make things completely done and then release it. I am going to a month vacation this year (with my PC), so I will be able to work on the game at night, but little less. I mean, the updates will appear, but I will probably need more time for this.
What will be added and what not
In the near updates: - I want to rework the modules, researching and build system a little bit. It seems too simple for now and there are few problems with that. The mechanics were made at the very beginning of making this game, so they're a bit outdated due to the game development progress.
- Employees also seem to be a little bit broken for now, but remember: I can fix everything, just give me some time :D
After that: - Competitors like NASA or ULA would make the game more dynamic and interesting. I will add them by one of the updates.
- Materials also would be cool. Imagine buying tons of steel only to build one rocket :D
- Weather - this will make the challenge even bigger. Imagine, that your contract would expire in one quarter and you need to launch rocket NOW, but it's rainy day (hallelujah) :D
What will not be added (for 99%): - The planets. This game is more about Earth (look at the game name), so planets are not planned in the near future. However, I didn't say no ;)
- yup, that's it.
To sum everything up
This is a game created by dummy teenager, who loves SpaceX and Elon Musk, so don't take me serious :D
Also, the earth is flat! (I wanted to make the earth flat from the beginning, but men in black visited me and told me, that I should make it round. The government hides the truth BELIEVE ME!)
Official Early Access Trailer
After about 4 days long of making this trailer, we can say, that it's finally done! We hope you will like it the same as we do. :)
Till now, we've developed the game on other indie game websites, and now we are ready to release it here.
We still need about a month to get things done, so stay tuned and add EarthX to your wishlist (which will help you be up to date)! :)
